What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tenseness
Example
The tenseness of the rope made it difficult to untie. [tenseness: noun]
Example
After the workout, I felt a lot of tenseness in my shoulders. [tenseness: noun]
Example
The silence in the room created a sense of tenseness among the group. [tenseness: noun]
tension
Example
The tension in the rope was too much and it snapped. [tension: noun]
Example
I could feel the tension building up as the deadline approached. [tension: noun]
Example
There was a lot of tension between the two coworkers after the disagreement. [tension: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Tension is more commonly used than tenseness in everyday language. Tension is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while tenseness is less common and typically used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between tenseness and tension?
Both tenseness and tension can be used in formal and informal contexts, but tenseness is often associated with a more neutral or objective tone, while tension can carry a negative connotation and may be less appropriate in formal settings.
